Mirra Andreeva admits she’s ‘stubborn’ and gives her honest opinion on coach Conchita Martinez

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Mirra Andreeva has enjoyed a strong start to her 2025 campaign, winning two WTA 1000 titles.

Before 2025, Andreeva had won just one singles title on the WTA Tour, securing victory at the Iasi Open in Romania last year.

12 months on, the Russian is a two-time WTA 1000 champion, following Andreeva’s wins in Dubai and Indian Wells this year.

Andreeva is now ranked seventh in the world and looks to be a strong contender for this year’s Madrid Open title.

Speaking to the media after winning her opening match in the Spanish capital, Andreeva shared her thoughts on her coach, Conchita Martinez.

Mirra Andreeva is thankful that coach Conchita Martinez puts up with her being ‘stubborn’

Following her second-round win in Madrid, Andreeva explained why she is grateful to be coached by the former Wimbledon champion.

“I just feel super grateful that she still wants to work with me because sometimes I can be really, I don’t know, stubborn,” said Andreeva.

“I’m just super happy that she still works with me, and I think the atmosphere in our team is great.”

Andreeva was then asked to highlight the changes Martinez has made to her game recently.

“The first thing that she added to my tennis is she helped me to be more positive on the court because I’m super hard on myself, and I still am, but now with time, of course, I know how to change it,” she said.

“The first thing that she brought into my tennis career is trying to be less hard on myself and be more positive.

“She just shares a lot of experience, and she can see and she knows what I’m going through on the court, and we talk a lot.”

There was no need for Andreeva to be hard on herself during her opening match at the Madrid Open, as she booked her spot in the third round with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Marie Bouzkova.

The Russian teenager will now get set to take on Poland’s Magdalena Frech in the third round.

‘Passionate’ Conchita Martinez is the only female coach in the WTA top ten

Andreeva is the only player ranked inside the world’s top ten coached by a woman, as Martinez continues to lead her to success.

The Spaniard doesn’t believe gender should play a role in success, as she explained to Daniela Hantuchova recently that ‘passion’ is the most important factor.

“I’m really passionate with what I do and I think that shows and that helps to give the player what they need,” said Martinez.

“I really enjoy my time when it’s like this, I have a lot of fun with Mirra [Andreeva], we have an incredible connection.

“But with all of my players, I always feel if they see me passionate, it helps.”

Martinez will be hoping her passion can rub off on Andreeva as she looks to become a three-time WTA 1000 champion in Madrid.

How did Conchita Martinez win Wimbledon in 1994?

Andreeva has yet to qualify for a Grand Slam final but will no doubt hope to change that later this year.

Martinez was in the same position 30 years ago, when she traveled to Wimbledon, having previously lost two Major semi-finals.

Taking to the court as the number three seed, Martinez quickly proved her title-winning credentials, as she battled her way through to the final.

• 1994 Wimbledon (SF) – Conchita Martinez beat Lori McNeil, 3-6, 6-2, 10-8
• 1994 Wimbledon (QF) – Conchita Martinez beat Lindsay Davenport, 6-2, 6-7, 6-3
• 1994 Wimbledon (4R) – Conchita Martinez beat Kristine Radford, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
• 1994 Wimbledon (3R) – Conchita Martinez beat Nathalie Tauziat, 6-1, 6-3
• 1994 Wimbledon (2R) – Conchita Martinez beat Nana Miyagi, 6-1, 7-6
• 1994 Wimbledon (1R) – Conchita Martinez beat Rene Simpson-Alter, 6-1, 6-3

There she came up against the legendary Martina Navratilova, who was looking to win Wimbledon for a tenth time in her final appearance at SW19.

Fighting through in three sets for the fourth time in the tournament, Martinez won 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, to clinch her sole Major title.

The Spaniard returned to two further Grand Slam finals, at the 1998 Australian Open and 2000 French Open, coming up short on both occasions.

It remains to be seen if Martinez can coach Andreeva to her first Major title in 2025, but it’ll certainly be something to watch out for when the French Open begins on Sunday, May 25.